Credit card fraud investigation leads to four arrests

An organized group of 16 suspects illegally acquired more than $250,000 in goods by taking credit cards from more than 100 people, Louisiana State Police Superintendent Michael Edmonson announced Wednesday afternoon in the French Quarter.

View full sizeChuck Cook, The Times-Picayune archiveLouisiana State Police Superintendent Michael Edmonson was photographed in May 2008.

Individuals in the French Quarter and Central Business District have been the primary target of the bandits whose reach extended far beyond the New Orleans area, said Lt. M. Doug Cain II, a Louisiana State Police spokesman.

Four of the 16 have been arrested, Edmonson said. Warrants have been issued for the others.

Eric Noble, 30, and Felicia Charles, 35, were arrested for access device fraud. Jade Harris, 27, and Temeka Davis, 18, were arrested for attempted device fraud. All four suspects reside in New Orleans.

A task force of the members of the State Police, the New Orleans Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service has been leading the charge against the organized group.

Citizens came forward with information, said Edmonson before a table displaying some of the credit cards and weapons -- including an assault rifle -- that were found at the homes of the arrested suspects. The Louisiana Electronic Financial Crimes Task Force investigators then followed up with "good old-fashioned police work," Edmonson said.

The 16 suspects shared stolen cards with each other. One would use a card and then pass it along to another and another, police said.

Edmonson declined to discuss the details regarding how the suspects acquired the cards other than noting they often waited for an opportunity "to get into a situation where they could quickly grab a credit card."

Detectives believe the organization was beginning to employ more women in an effort to prey on tourists during the carnival season.

The three agencies will continue with "Operation Get Rich," pursuing identity and credit-card thieves, he said.